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E36 (1991 - 1999) The E36 chassis 3-Series BMW was a huge hit among driving enthusiasts from the first moment the car hit the pavement. The E36 won numerous awards over the years it was produced and is still a favorite of many BMW enthusiasts to this day! -- View the E36 Wiki

* Convertible top switch can now be released and initialization procedure runs. Initialization is completed approx. 0.5 seconds after the convertible top lid has finished closing.

NOTE : The initialization sequence can only be interrupted by turning the ignition lock into setting "0".

* Now completely close the convertible top (perform function check).

Initialization with diagnosis :

Prerequisite :

* Convertible top stowed in convertible top box and drive units connected up.

Initialization, refer to BMW diagnosis system.

Emergency actuation of convertible top :

* Open side windows and left door.
* Push left front seat forwards and fold down.

NOTE : No-one must be sitting on the rear seat at this time.

* The release lever is located at the left under the rear bench seat in position (1) (rest position). If necessary, lift up rear bench seat.
* Pull release lever forwards with grip into position (2) until both drive units disengage audibly.
* After being released, the release lever returns to position (3).

Caution ! When drive units are disconnected, only drive with convertible top closed (it is then not possible to lock the convertible top lid).

The convertible top lid and convertible top can now move freely.

Installation :

* Before engaging the drive units, slide release lever full back into position (1) (engagement not otherwise possible) and allow bench seat to reengage.

I just tried out this procedure and it works great! The guys putting new seat covers on pulled the release lever thinking it would be easier to move the top by hand than using the electrical system. Once they pulled it they of course couldn't get into the trunk!
Figured that on out on the fly, then I got the motors re-engaged but they were definitely operating out of sequence. The re-sequencing instructions worked perfectly!

* Convertible top switch can now be released and initialization procedure runs. Initialization is completed approx. 0.5 seconds after the convertible top lid has finished closing.

NOTE : The initialization sequence can only be interrupted by turning the ignition lock into setting "0".

* Now completely close the convertible top (perform function check).

Initialization with diagnosis :

Prerequisite :

* Convertible top stowed in convertible top box and drive units connected up.

Initialization, refer to BMW diagnosis system.

Emergency actuation of convertible top :

* Open side windows and left door.
* Push left front seat forwards and fold down.

NOTE : No-one must be sitting on the rear seat at this time.

* The release lever is located at the left under the rear bench seat in position (1) (rest position). If necessary, lift up rear bench seat.
* Pull release lever forwards with grip into position (2) until both drive units disengage audibly.
* After being released, the release lever returns to position (3).

* Convertible top switch can now be released and initialization procedure runs. Initialization is completed approx. 0.5 seconds after the convertible top lid has finished closing.

NOTE : The initialization sequence can only be interrupted by turning the ignition lock into setting "0".

* Now completely close the convertible top (perform function check).

Initialization with diagnosis :

Prerequisite :

* Convertible top stowed in convertible top box and drive units connected up.

Initialization, refer to BMW diagnosis system.

Emergency actuation of convertible top :

* Open side windows and left door.
* Push left front seat forwards and fold down.

NOTE : No-one must be sitting on the rear seat at this time.

* The release lever is located at the left under the rear bench seat in position (1) (rest position). If necessary, lift up rear bench seat.
* Pull release lever forwards with grip into position (2) until both drive units disengage audibly.
* After being released, the release lever returns to position (3).

Use the lever on the motor (there's less leverage but it is possible) pull it forwards/downwards to release the drive .

I've got the procedure down pat and having no trouble re-engaging the top motor; however, when I try to ren-engage the cover motor, it seems like it's being stopped. With a mirror and light, it looks like the motor is sitting low and the gear won't enter the intended hole. I've tried moving the motor up to no avail. I also have tried pushing down on the cover while trying to re-engage but no change - it's not the gears clashing, it's the gear assembly. Have also tried another suggestion of moving the top in different positions while trying to re-engage. Again, no change in position of the motor to allow it to re-engage. Has the motor slipped out of position or is there some other way to reposition it that would allow it to be re-engaged?

Are you talking about the motor that is inside the top of the truck closest to the window?

If so, I had hell getting it to go in. Call me crazy but I was desperate and used a small floor jack. It worked like a charm. If you are going to do this, just be careful to take it slow and don't jack it up any further than needed.

If you're struggling to align the motor and drive gears , take the whole thing out on it's frame if you think the motor as moved on it's mountings , 4 bolts and release the linkage and you'll see it better than trying to reach around with a dentist mirror

Thanks for the recommendation. I did take the motor off. Yes, alignment looks good. What I found, however, was that the gear cannot be turned in either direction. Using pliers and the motor sitting on it's side, I've tried to rotate the gear so it will pop back into place, but the gear simply won't turn. At all. Comparatively, the top motor gear turns easily. I hate to resort to taking it to someone else - or, I might start combing the junk yards to try another motor assembly. Any other thoughts?

Thanks for the recommendation. I did take the motor off. Yes, alignment looks good. What I found, however, was that the gear cannot be turned in either direction. Using pliers and the motor sitting on it's side, I've tried to rotate the gear so it will pop back into place, but the gear simply won't turn. At all. Comparatively, the top motor gear turns easily. I hate to resort to taking it to someone else - or, I might start combing the junk yards to try another motor assembly. Any other thoughts?

Other than trying another motor , have you tried powering yours' up ? to see if it's seized .

An update: Took the flap drive (cover motor) off the car and found that, yes, the alignment really was off: the hole in the gear cover was too tight, keeping the gear from the motor side from engaging. Took the gear cover off, filed the hole to a larger size and reinstalled. Motor now pops in and out like it is supposed to. I've run the initialization procedure but the top stops about half way through. I'm hoping that my next fix - the bungee cord mod for the tensions straps - will help the top finish its reinitionalization and will be cool.

No progress. I've installed the bungees and now there's tension to pull up the window section, but the top still stops during the reinitialization process. After going through the well-publicized process to re-sync the motors toward closing the fully-automatic top: the storage flap comes up, the top rises and opens up but then stops at the point of pulling up the rear window section for the flap to close. Any suggestions?

My 1999 328i convertible top got stuck upon closing it once night and I could hear motors juping track, or so it seemed. The arms in convertible top compartment bent. Cables were snaged and everything was not aligned. I was able to close top manually and am able to open top and even lock lid by pressing open button but lid motor will lock lid and start knocking so I have to turn ignition off to keep it from further damage. Now I need top motor since it does not work at all and I noticed housing was stripped. Now during this whole manually thing, the cables are not alligned. Any suggestions?